For the first time since 2020, the USA Men’s Falcons Sevens will return to Sigatoka, Fiji for the Coral Coast Sevens, an international invitational the USA Men’s Sevens program has regularly sent pipeline prospects to for quality competition and growth experience.
Led by Olympian and USA Eagle Alum, Ben Pinkelman and through the support of key donor Warren Spieker, 13 players will travel and compete from January 12-14, 2022.
Per tournament organizers, overseas viewers can watch Coral Coast Sevens for $30 USD on the pay-per-view FBCPop channel via the Walesi App.
Head Coach Ben Pinkelman noted on the invitational, “This tournament will be an energetic, competitive environment that will demand adaptability and resiliency that compares to the World Rugby Sevens Series from our squad. The speed of the game will be a step up from what many of the guys have ever played against and they will undoubtedly grow from it. At the same time, we will learn even more by experiencing the Fijian culture, people, and lifestyle. This experience will help us understand how much every person on the island cares about their rugby and seeing the fanatical culture that has inspired two gold medals will give us a taste of the passion we have to bring to training everyday as we slowly move towards LA2028.”
Some familiar names will take off for Fiji, with 8 of the 13 returning from The Men’s U23 Sevens competing in August’s RugbyTown Sevens, in an effort to build competitive continuity with top young prospects and increase collective playing time. Four of the traveling squad have also had a first taste of top, with Noah Brown, Will Chevalier, Sam Walsh and Nolan Tuamoheloa all making their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut in October 2022 during Hong Kong Sevens.
Pinkelman continued, “Many of the All Americans are continuing to push forward and that is what this is all about. Understanding that as a country we are on a path to LA2028, where a hardworking and lucky few have been given the opportunity to be in the front of the line for that push as our U23 and Falcons representatives. It is good to see many have continued to put in the work and are here now ready to compete as brothers and DAWGS. The goal is for these guys to continue to push forward and build cohesion on and off the field while they learn to make themselves into a team that earns the world's respect when they are the regular representatives of the USA Sevens. A couple have had a really strong start to that journey, and I hope are able to push their way into Paris2024.”
This instrumental development tour is made possible by the generous donations of Golden Eagle and program supporter, Warren Spieker. “The program's pipeline and talent depth are growing,” said Pinkelman, “for the first time since COVID, the future is once again looking bright for our sevens program thanks to his help. I Also want to say thank you to all the youth coaches around the country who are building the foundations of our continued progression.”
| Name | No. | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Brown | #88 | Indiana University | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| EJ Freeman | #12 | University of Arizona | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| Ryan Santos | #3 | Harvard University | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| Jake Broselle | #2 | University of Arizona | |
| Will Chevalier (C) | #5 | Indiana University | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| Sam Walsh | #20 | USA Men's Sevens | |
| Kahanu Koi | #10 | Northern Loonies (PR7s) | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| Darius Law | #8 | Life University | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| Donovan Law | #11 | Life University | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| Nolan Tuamoheloa | #14 | Rugby ATL (MLR) / Rocky Mountain Experts (PR7s) | |
| Pita Vi | #1 | USA Men's Sevens | |
| Nick Hardrict | #4 | Lindenwood University | 2022 Men's U23 7s |
| Darell Williams | #6 | Unaffiliated |
Ben Pinkelman | Head Coach
Alex Ross | Team Manager, Strength & Conditioning
Alex Burke | Athletic Trainer
vs. Sigatoka River Safari Nukuvura | 7:30pm ET
vs. Ram Sami Army | 11:40pm ET
vs. Fire | Time TBD
